How Much Should a Shih Tzu Eat Per Day?

Those pleading eyes. That hopeful head tilt. The happy wiggle-dance they do when you reach for the food. Any Shih Tzu owner knows exactly what I'm talking about! But all that cuteness aside, there's a serious question: are you giving your little buddy the right amount of food?

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Getting the Right Amount of Food for Your Shih Tzu

Deciding how much food your Shih Tzu should eat is more than just reading the instructions on the dog food bag. These little dogs have unique needs that can change depending on a few things.

The Basics of Dog Calories

Just like humans, dogs need a certain number of calories to remain healthy. Shih Tzus don't need as many calories as big dogs, but it's still important to get the number correct.

Vets use two main calculations: Resting Energy Requirement (RER) and Daily Energy Requirement (DER). RER is basically the number of calories your dog needs just to breathe and, well, exist. So, a 10-pound Shih Tzu? That's about 234 calories a day just to keep them going.

DER takes into account how much exercise your dog receives, their age, and their health. A young, active Shih Tzu might need 1.6 times their RER. A fixed (spayed/neutered), older, very laid-back dog might only need 1.2 times their RER.

Just keep in mind that each dog is an individual. What your Shih Tzu requires is specific to them.

Different Needs at Different Ages

Puppies need way more calories per pound than adult dogs. They're building bones, muscles, and everything else, and that takes extra energy. Little pups usually need about twice the calories of adult dogs that weigh the same.

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Here are a few examples:

• A 4-pound Shih Tzu puppy: 200-250 calories a day
• A 10-pound adult Shih Tzu: 220-330 calories
• An older Shih Tzu: 190-280 calories

As Shih Tzus get older (usually after 7-10 years), their metabolism slows down. Senior dogs might need 20% less food than they did when they were younger. If you don't cut back, they'll pack on the pounds. Proper nutrition also affects their coat quality.

Activity Level Makes a Difference

Not all Shih Tzus are the same. Some are total couch potatoes, while others have surprisingly high energy levels.

For the average, kinda lazy Shih Tzu who just goes on short daily walks, about 25-30 calories per pound usually works well. More active dogs who love longer walks or playing hard might need 30-35 calories per pound.

I once watched my friend's Shih Tzu, Mochi, play fetch for a solid hour – way longer than my own dog ever wants to! Mochi needed more food than other dogs his size that were less active.

Even the weather can change how much they move. A lot of Shih Tzus don't play as much when it's super hot or freezing cold, so they might need slightly less food during those times. Many owners opt for Shih Tzu short haircut styles during hot weather months, which can increase your dog's comfort and activity levels, potentially affecting their caloric needs.

Feeding Tips for Shih Tzus

Picking Good Food

Shih Tzus do best with good quality dog food made specifically for small breeds. These foods usually have smaller pieces (kibble) that fit their tiny mouths better.

When choosing a food, check the ingredient list. The very first ingredient should be real meat, like chicken, lamb, or fish. Avoid foods with a lot of fillers, like corn and wheat gluten.

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Dry food (kibble):

• Helps keep teeth cleaner
• Costs less and stays fresh longer
• Easier to store

Wet food:

• Has more water to help with hydration
• Tastes better to picky eaters
• Easier for older dogs with bad teeth

Both types are mostly used by most owners in combination. They will use dry food (kibble) as the main diet, and then serve a spoonful of wet food over it to increase its attractiveness.

Also, always look for the AAFCO statement on the package. This shows that the food provides complete nutrition for your dog.

Watch Those Portions

Small dogs like Shih Tzus can gain weight easily if they eat too much. A good measure for a 10-pound adult Shih Tzu is 1/4 to 1/2 cup of high-quality dry food per day. Divide that into two servings. You will need to feed your dog more or less, depending on the individual needs of the dog.

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Leaving food out during the day doesn't work well with Shih Tzus. Most will eat too much if they have the opportunity. Eating too much can lead to obesity, and obesity causes medical problems such as diabetes, arthritis, and a shorter life expectancy.

Meal Timing

Most adult Shih Tzus do well with two meals per day, usually one in the morning and one in the evening. Puppies younger than six months might need three or four smaller meals. Younger puppies need the extra meals to keep their blood sugar steady and because they have small stomachs.

Feeding your Shih Tzu at the same times each day helps with digestion and can also help reduce accidents in the house.

Most adult Shih Tzus can get by on two meals a day, usually one in the morning and one in the evening. Puppies under six months might need three or four small meals. Puppies under six months need the extra meals for blood sugar stability and because their stomachs are small.

Feeding your Shih Tzu at consistent times throughout the day helps with digestion and can help to reduce accidents within the home.

Treats in Small Amounts

Those puppy-dog eyes make it hard to say no to treats! But treats should only make up about 10% of what your Shih Tzu eats each day.

For a 10-pound dog that eats 300 calories a day, that means treats should be no more than 30 calories. Many store-bought treats have 20-30 calories each, so they add up quickly!

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Healthier treat options include:

• Small carrot pieces
• Blueberries
• Apple slices (without the seeds)
• Green beans Small pieces of cooked chicken

These options offer some nutrition with fewer calories. My Shih Tzu loves frozen blueberries—they're like little doggy popsicles!

How Clothes Affect Feeding Your Shih Tzu

Those cute sweaters and outfits affect more than just your dog's style—they can impact eating habits too!

Food Gets Trapped

If you dress up your Shih Tzu, you would have observed how food also clings to their fur and clothing, especially around the neck and chest. It chafes them.

Stuck food also attracts insects and gets pungent. There is nothing that can spoil a cute outfit faster than food stains!

Certain foods are worse than others. Knit sweaters, for example, trap more food than smooth surfaces. And what about ruffly collars? They're food magnets.

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Choosing Better Clothes

If your Shih Tzu often wears clothes, look for designs that work better with meals:

• Less fabric around the neck and chest.
• Materials that are breathable and easy to wash.
• Styles that don't make it hard for them to eat.
• Clothes that can adjust if their weight changes a little.

Some dog clothes even have removable bibs for mealtimes.

Keep It Clean

After your dog eats, check their clothes. Wiping them down with a damp cloth helps prevent food from getting stuck.

Also, make sure their clothes still fit as their weight changes. Clothes that are too tight aren't comfortable, and clothes that are too loose can drag in their food bowl.

The easiest thing to do is take off their clothes when they eat, especially if they're messy eaters. This means less laundry and a happier dog.

Feed Your Shih Tzu Right!

Properly feeding your Shih Tzu requires attention and adjustments. Begin with these recommendations, but monitor your dog's weight and energy, and adjust when necessary. Your veterinarian provides the best recommendation for your furry friend's nutritional requirements.